Fireworks Not Allowed on BLM Managed Public Lands

Carson City –With the July 4th holiday coming up, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) would like to remind the public that fire restrictions remain in place in Western Nevada.

These restrictions include the restriction of possession and use of all fireworks (including safe and sane) on Carson City BLM managed public land.

Fire Restrictions Prohibit:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire (using wood, charcoal or any other material), campfire, or stove fire except a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid fuel, outside of a developed fee campground or picnic area (except by permit). 2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or at a developed campground or picnic area. 3. Welding, or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit. 4. Using or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit. 5. Possession or use of fireworks (always prohibited), or any other incendiary device. 6. Use of tracer rounds, steel-core ammunition or exploding targets including Binary Explosive Targets while recreational shooting. 7. Open burning (e.g. weeds, brush and yard debris).

Violations can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and a year in jail as well as the costs associated with resource damage, suppression costs, and injuries if found guilty.

So far this year within the Carson City BLM District, there have been 12 human caused fires on BLM managed public lands for a total of 25,427 acres. On BLM managed public lands statewide there have been 78 human caused fires for a total of 42,933 acres.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.